Commemoration
Saint Emilia
May 8 Old CalendarMay 21 New Calendar
Life
The mother of Saint Basil the Great. In her youth she wished to remain a lifelong virgin, but was compelled into marriage. She bore nine children and so inspired them with the spirit of Christ that five of them became Christian saints: Basil the Great, Gregory Bishop of Nyssa, Peter Bishop of Sebastea, Macrina, and Theosebia. In old age she established a monastery where she lived with her daughter Macrina, and where she reposed in the Lord on May 8, 375.
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, May 8. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on May 8
The full reading for May 8 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open May 8 in the reader